Two long-standing religious communities of San Diego are joining together, according to a recent announcement by the Order of St. Augustine in California.
The Sisters of Nazareth will be aggregated into the Augustinian family, a step that requires both Vatican approval and consent of the local bishop. The union enables the Sisters of Nazareth to keep their autonomy while being a part of the Augustinians.
“This union, formalized by a decree from Rome, establishes a deep spiritual bond between the two institutes while allowing the sisters to maintain their canonical autonomy,” said Cindy Luyun, a spokesperson for the order.
Father Barnaby R. Johns, OSA, prior provincial of the Province of St. Augustine in California, told EWTN News that “this aggregation will only strengthen the present unity.”
“Together, the Sisters of Nazareth (1925) and the Augustinians (1924) share over 200 years of service to the Church and the people of God of the Diocese of San Diego,” he said. “Over those many years we have forged support and unity with each other and our ministries.”
Johns noted several preexisting ties between the two groups.
“The sisters educate young children at Nazareth School in San Diego and many of their eighth grade graduate boys continue their education and faith journey at St. Augustine’s High School run by the Augustinians,” he said.
“In our assisted living home also in San Diego, we have received the spiritual support of the Augustinians for our residents and sisters while supporting Augustinians who need assisted living,” Johns continued. “A number of Augustinian priests and brothers have spent their last days in the care of our Nazareth House.”
The ties are present around the world. The motherhouse of the Sisters of Nazareth is based in Hammersmith, London, within an Augustinian parish. According to Johns, local Augustinian Bishop Michael Campbell prompted the aggregation, and the sisters agreed.
“The hope of the Sisters of Nazareth going forward is to strengthen and continue the spiritual bond we already share, as ‘brothers and sisters in Christ,’” Johns explained.
The sisters will add the word “Augustinian” to their institution while also adopting the Augustinian liturgical calendar and other liturgical books and rituals belonging to the order, according to a March 18 press release shared with EWTN News.
“At the practical level, we remain autonomous religious congregations but share a close Augustinian bond of spiritual goods and indulgences, privileges under the patronage of our holy father, St. Augustine,” Johns said.
The sisters will be in good company, as Pope Leo XIV is an Augustinian.
“We are of one soul and one heart turning towards God, to the same purpose of his rule, to build up the body of Christ,” Johns said.
